Announces Major Sports Push with 23 New Academies and First Sports University
Haridwar Elmas Crowned Champions | 23 New Sports Academies and First Sports University to Be Established
Dehradun, October 5: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today attended the closing ceremony of the Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) 2025, organized by the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Raipur (Dehradun). The event concluded with Haridwar Elmas clinching the championship title with an outstanding performance.
Congratulating the winning team and participants, the Chief Minister praised the tournament’s spirit and urged the youth to imbibe discipline, teamwork, and perseverance through sports.
“Winning and losing are part of the game, but true success lies in your sportsmanship, dedication, and determination to move forward,” he said.
‘Sports Are the Foundation of a Strong Nation’
Highlighting the role of sports in holistic development, CM Dhami said that athletics are essential not just for physical and mental fitness but also for developing life values such as teamwork and resilience.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives – ‘Khelo India’ and ‘Fit India Movement’ – for instilling a robust sports culture in the country.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India has achieved new heights in the world of sports. Inspired by his vision, Uttarakhand is also moving ahead to build a vibrant sports ecosystem,” Dhami added.
Empowering Women in Sports
Commending the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand for promoting women’s cricket, the Chief Minister said that four women’s teams participated in this year’s UPL, marking a significant milestone in gender inclusion.
He lauded the achievements of Uttarakhand’s women cricketers — Raghavi Bisht, Prema Rawat, and Nandani Kashyap — who have earned a place in the Indian team for the ongoing series in New Zealand.
“It is a matter of pride that the daughters of our mountain state are shining on international platforms,” Dhami said.
Sports Infrastructure and Talent Development
The Chief Minister emphasized that the youth of Uttarakhand are creating a distinct identity in national sports, but efforts must be made to retain homegrown talent.
“Our players perform exceptionally well in the IPL but often represent other states. We must build such systems that make Uttarakhand’s own teams the strongest in the country,” he urged the Cricket Association.
He cited the 38th National Games, hosted successfully in Uttarakhand, as a turning point in the state’s sports history. The state’s athletes won 103 medals, boosting Uttarakhand’s reputation as both ‘Devbhoomi’ and ‘Khelbhoomi’.
Major Announcements: Sports Legacy Plan, Academies & Universities
CM Dhami announced that the state government will soon implement a ‘Sports Legacy Plan’ to transform Uttarakhand into a global sports hub.
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23 Sports Academies will be established in eight major cities, training 920 elite athletes and 1,000 other players annually.
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Uttarakhand’s first Sports University will be established in Haldwani.
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A Women’s Sports College will come up in Lohaghat.
He added that under the new Sports Policy, medal-winning athletes at national and international levels are being given out-of-turn government jobs. Several incentive schemes like the Chief Minister’s Sports Development Fund, Sports Incentive Scheme, Emerging Sportsperson Scheme, and Sports Kit Scheme are also being implemented to support budding talent.
Awards, Quotas, and Motivation for Youth
To honor athletic excellence, the state government is conferring the ‘Uttarakhand Khel Ratna’ and ‘Himalayan Khel Ratna’ awards.
Additionally, the government has reinstated a 4% sports quota in government services to ensure deserving athletes receive opportunities and recognition.
Concluding his address, CM Dhami shared his mantra for success with the youth:
“Determination without options is the true key to success. Set your goals, work with full commitment, and lead in whichever field you choose.”
Dignitaries in Attendance
The ceremony was attended by Lok Sabha MP Jagdambika Pal, Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, MLA Umesh Sharma, senior officials of the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand, Sports Department, and a large number of enthusiastic spectators.
